Tyres

S

spamboy

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Fellow Frogger
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Jun 10, 2003
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Griffith
i need to get some tyres for my 405, 195/55 15" ones, ive been using nanking ns1 but on the 2nd set of being bald on the left hand endges only (round abouts im guessing) but having a perfect center..

what tyres are cheep, and last the distance...

i dont think i will need soft ones for cornering around here, as well, we dont have corners here..

any sugestions

cheers
Nathan
 
spamboy:
i need to get some tyres for my 405, 195/55 15" ones, ive been using nanking ns1 but on the 2nd set of being bald on the left hand endges only (round abouts im guessing) but having a perfect center..
any sugestions

cheers
Nathan
Click to expand...
Id get a quick suspention check done Nathan, even if you drove thoug lots of round-abouts, you shouldn't get just outside edge wear.
As for tyres wait till Licon (GTI124) grabs a hold of ya. Also there is lots of threads you can do a search for right here.
Personaly i recomend Pirelli P6000's as a good alrounder. -cheers chris
 
Hi Nathan!

Ahhh...tyres, they're so interesting! :D

Frist of all, check that you're alignment and suspension is OK, uneven wear is not good!

As for tyres, in 195/55R15, which should last a while and yet give you some decent handling, I'd recommend the Dunlop LM702s, Goodyear Revspecs and Bridgestone Potenza G3s. They should be around the $170 mark, in Sydney anyway. Not sure if the Bridgestones are around that price, I know the first two are.

I run Dunlop FM901s, which are a good performance tyre. I don't think you need anything like this though, if you're after long wear and aren't cornerning that much. Yoko AVS ES100s are in the same boat here.

What else are there in that size? Yoko A539s, which aren't that good in Z rated. They're loud and have a soft sidewall, I wouldn't recommend them for a country car. Kumho Ecsta 712s are in between the Nankangs you ran and the FM901s. They have a good reputation, but are more of a performance tyre, but the good thing is they are cheap, around $115 in Sydney.

Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D2s are OEM on a lot of cars, but I'm yet to hear anything too favourable about them, I'd recommend the Revspecs over them.

There are some Toyos in that size, which are a decent tyre. Should be good value, but are more of a performance tyre than a long last comfort tyre you appear to be after.

Michelin have the MXV3As and MXV8s which are pure comfort tyres with minimal performance. They're overpriced, at $250 or so. They then have the Pilot Preceda which is a performance tyre around the $300 mark. Michelin own BF Goodrich, which have the Profiler G, which is a good value performance tyre at around $180, but it's getting a bit old now (like the Eagle F1), and Rek here doesn't like them THAT much.

Well, that's about it in 195 55, R15. It's the same size as GTi6, in case you're wondering why I know every tyre on the market in that size.

Cheers, Lincoln
 
Nathan,

Unless you're smokin' 'em up at every roundabout, the problem is the wheel alignment.
I know there's a lot who'll disagree, but based on my own experience living in a regional area as you do also, I wouldn't touch a lot of these Asian tyres with a barge pole for any price. By far the worst tyre I had on any car were Hankooks that wore out while you looked at them, were as noisy as a set of worn out wheel bearings on any kind of bituman surface but were particularly good in the wet which was really handy during the drought. roll_lau I've just had to toss a set on Nankangs on out Spectron due to them being out of round & the dealer denying the problem & hence not covering them with any warranty.
At present, I'm running a couple of Dunlop Le Mans A5s on the BX ($122 a tyre) and they are quite impressive as far as handling & overall feel is concerned whilst on the shopping trolley, the CX that is used mainly around town with the odd run up to 80 klms round trip I fitted (wait for it) BobJane All Rounders and so far (about 5,000 klms) I've been over the moon with them. Apparently a new tyre design that seem to handle all conditions (I travel over a gravel road twice a day & it sits on 100 - 120 kph no worries) wet included and I cannot fault them for the life of me; they are bloody brilliant. Even better, they look good AND the best bit they cost $79 a tyre and present indications are they will wear well also.
As I say, I know several will possibly have doubts, but I'm rapt; best tyre set ups on both my cars I've had for years. :D

Alan S

<small>[ 28 August 2003, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: Alan S ]</small>
 
I've also had favourable comments on the Bob Jane Never-Rounders. But I don't think you can get them in such a low profile.

If course bitumen is an issue, I would go for the LM702s if I lived out in the country. My Dad runs Sumitomo HTRZ IIs on his Subaru and lives in the country and does a lot of country miles. He's running 195 50 R 16s, and I left them out in my previous post, they are available in 195 55 R 15. They're very good on course bitumen and he drives countries roads ALOT (he really should've bought an Outback). They are nice and quiet, a lot quieter than A539 and Avon ZZ1s. You could still go quieter with the LM702s, IMO. I really like the Sumitomos, they have great feel and are great value.

Here's the LM702, in case you're wondering what they look like:

<img src="http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/sptimages/fs_le_mans_lm702.jpg" alt=" - " />

<a href="http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/showtyredun.php?tyre=0000000591915" target="_blank">http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/showtyredun.php?tyre=0000000591915</a>
 
The other choice is to go 195/50/15 or 205/50/15, which increases choices. However, the 195/50/15 doesn't have the right load rating for an Mi16, so technically it's illegal, and the 205/50/15 is bit baggy on the 6" rim. I ran them on a 6.75" rim and they looked a lot happier. I'm not sure about MXV3A's not being a performance tyre. I've always run them. Maybe I drive like an old woman!
 
Well Michelin describe it as a touring tyre... <a href="http://www.michelin.com.au/tyres/tyr_pas_cata_energyMXV3A.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.michelin.com.au/tyres/tyr_pas_cata_energyMXV3A.cfm</a>

And to me it certainly looks like a "normal" tyre... <img src="http://www.michelin.com.au/web_images/cont_tyres/img_tyre_HXMXV3A.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
Definitely different to the MXV3A's I used to run.
 
PeterT:
Definitely different to the MXV3A's I used to run.
Click to expand...
There's two different MXV3A's on the market in Australia at the moment, "Energy" and "HX". They're both "touring" tyres, but the "Energy" version is a H rated hard compound tyre, whereas the "HX" version is a V or W rated softer compound tyre:

<a href="http://www.michelin.com.au/tyres/tyr_pas_cata_HXMXV3A.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.michelin.com.au/tyres/tyr_pas_cata_HXMXV3A.cfm</a>

It's obvious that the "HX" version of the MXV3A is going to perform quite a bit differently and cost quite a bit more than the "Energy" version, even though they use the same convential touring tread pattern. The "HX" MXV3A is an old tyre now. They've been around for atleast 10 years, so I don't think they can justify the price they charge for them.

Dave

<small>[ 29 August 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: davemcbean ]</small>
 
I didn't realise they were different speed ratings, just thought they would have a slighty more fuel efficient compound (lower rolling resistance) on the Energy. I totally agree, I think the prices are ridiculous on the MXV3As, they're around the $250-$280 mark a tyre, I'm pretty sure. Hence, my recommendation for the LM702s, as they're around the $160-$170 mark and would be a better performing touring tyre.
 
Anyone tried Continentals or shy Federal tyres?

I was quote $150 and $100 respsctively
 
Like GTi124, I currently run Dunlop FM901's - they've been brilliant so I can highly reccommend them. Good value too.

A very good alternative to these is Toyo's TPG tyre - again very good value and would provide slightly better performance than the Dunlops.

My recommendation however is the Continentals. You'll pay a bit extra for them, but, tyres is never an area to cost cut (Michelins and Pirelli's are over-priced - generally).

I think the Continental 'PremiumContact's' are the way to go - (You can't get their 'ContiSport Contacts' in 195/55 R15 - I tried to get them for my GTi6 and they don't go that small and they're v.expensive anyway). I had the premium ones on my Subaru SVX and they're by far the best tyre I've tried. Brilliant all round performance and fantastic wear rate!

All the best!
 
I agree Continenal Permium Contacts would be a good touring tyre in that size. I wouldn't put them on a GTi6 though. But then again, I wouldn't put P6000s on a GTi6 either wink

Federal tyres got panned in the last Motor review, I'm pretty sure...or was it Wheels? Hmm...they got panned anyway. I'd take Kumhos over Federal.

F40!
 
Kristian:
Anyone tried Continentals or shy Federal tyres?

I was quote $150 and $100 respsctively
Click to expand...
I had federal tyres on my cordia turbo once... All I can say is CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!!!! STEER CLEAR....

Understeer, constant loss of traction in the wet... I once loaded the car up in 5th gear at 100 km/h up a small hill in the country, and the tyres broke traction...

I was always happy with G-Grid tyres on my Cordia...
 
Lincon, AlanS and other tyre pros. Sily question, what country of Origin is Bridgestone tyres? What about Firestone? Im assuming Michelin is french originaly but now? Pirelli is italian, yes?
I know Yokohama and Falken are Japanese. Is Advan just the performance side of Yokohama's, or tis it diferent?
What about Dunlop? and Continental? are they simply european? - cheers chris

ps, im not worried or biast in anyway, just wondering, as i simply don't know.
 
AFAIK Bridgestone are Japanese.
We got a set of Bridgestone 14" light truck tyres for the van a few years ago, and they are great. $150 each though.
 
CHRI'S16:
Lincon, AlanS and other tyre pros. Sily question, what country of Origin is Bridgestone tyres? What about Firestone? Im assuming Michelin is french originaly but now? Pirelli is italian, yes?
I know Yokohama and Falken are Japanese. Is Advan just the performance side of Yokohama's, or tis it diferent?
What about Dunlop? and Continental? are they simply european? - cheers chris

ps, im not worried or biast in anyway, just wondering, as i simply don't know.
Click to expand...
Can't speak for Bridgestone mainly due to me finding over the years that they OK for Jap stuff but hopeless on CXs & my local dealer tried to rip me off a couple of years back so I won't deal with him anyway.
Firestone I understand were taken over by Bridgestone a while back & the last time I bought Firestone tyres (and I do mean the LAST time) they were Kiwi made, all round crappy tyre apparently due to being outdated & lacking in R & D on later model vehicles (anything later than about 1960 from the way they perform) :confused:
Bob Jane's tyres, the ones that fit the CX anyway, are Australian made as are the Dunlop LeMans A5 series.
Michelins on the other hand, seem to be made in places where rice is part of the staple diet and palm trees waft about in the tropical afternoon sea breezes, not where frogs fear for their safety due to the culinary inclinations of the populus. whistle cry Michies are also made in banana republics on some occasions.
I'm afraid these days what you see isn't always what you get which is why I always insist on physically reading the "Made in....." off the tyre wall before I buy. deal

Alan S whip
 
Kristian:
Anyone tried Continentals or shy Federal tyres?

I was quote $150 and $100 respsctively
Click to expand...
Yep, had a pair of 14'' Continental EcoContact CP 175/80's on the front of the 504 until recently. Due to a puncture, then driving on the flat tire for some distance, I wrecked the left front. As the tires were already about half worn anyway, I decided to ditch them both and try some Michelins as I was never realy happy with the 'feel' of the Conti's. Got a couple of Michelin Energy XH1's in the same size as the Conti's, for $136 each (Bob Jane haggle price). The Conti's were $120 each a about 18 months ago. So far I can report that I much prefer the Michelins. They have a more responsive feel to subtle steering inputs. The Conti's had a tendency to load up and dive into corners, feeling rather stodgy in the process, whereas the Michelins are more consistent in their line and the steering feels lighter, but not at all vague. Too early to comment on wet performance. The other nice thing about the Michelins is that even at 34 psi, the ride remains very smooth and quiet. At this pressure, the Conti's ride was firmer, while the steering still felt a little vaque, in comparison with the Michelins.
 
Continentals are made in Germany. They are the weapon'o'choice for Porsche - say no more.
 
GTi666:
Continentals are made in Germany. They are the weapon'o'choice for Porsche - say no more.
Click to expand...
Continentals are engineered in Germany, not all are actually made there.

Some Porsches use Pirelli. I think it's only in recent times that Continental has been making competitive tyres - I remembre for years always seeing them languish at the bottom of comparo tables.
 
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